First gig with pipe band .. and some advice

[NewPiperinNY]

Here's me before the pipe bands first gig of the season this evening. Other than that the caubeen is horrendous, the sporran is too low (was fixed before going on) and the broghues are not tied evenly it seems, I would say it wasn't too bad for a first time in the uniform. Of course there's a sweater for parades, but this was for a Hearts and Shamrocks Dance so we wore our summer uniform.

As frumpy as I look, I have recently lost some weight (more to follow in short enough order) and the kilt needs some help staying up. I was thinking of adding velcro to the lining so that I can snug it up just a bit more. Has anyone done that or come up with some other relatively comfortable way to tighten up a kilt?

BTW -- here's the pipes I played...


I really love this instrument.

[highlander_Daz]

good luck you look fine just blow steady, get your strike ins clean and watch the tempo, Im sure youll be fine have a great season, some advice I was given by a wise piper is that mistakes are a great learning tool if done correctly !!!

be safe

[Rex_Tremende]

... kilt needs some help staying up. I was thinking of adding velcro to the lining so that I can snug it up just a bit more. Has anyone done that or come up with some other relatively comfortable way to tighten up a kilt?

You might be able to move the right buckles an inch or two closer to your rear, and inside strap the same distance toward the middle of the apron. I had that done on a second-hand kilt, and it worked out OK.

Regards,
Rex.

[Barb T]

Your kilt should be up just a bit higher - the top edge should ride about 2" above your true waist, and it looks like you have your kilt buckled on with the top edge at your waist. That makes the kilt too long, and it puts the belt below your waist.

If the kilt is too big and you can't keep it up where you need it, have someone move the underapron strap and the the two buckles on the apron (fringe) edge. That will allow you to buckle it tighter and keep it up where it belongs!

Best of luck with the pipes! Who do you play with?

[Macman]

Good on you, man, and congratulations on your first gig! All the best in your piping.

[PiobBear]

Pull your caubeen down about a finger's breadth above your eyebrows, and wear it all day in a steady rain at the Games, and it'll improve miraculously; custom fit!
As Barb said; pull your kilt up a bit. Move the buckles and inner apron strap if necessary.
You don't need quite so many twists in your ghillie laces. For long parades, you might prefer some really cushy walking shoes that looks like wingtip brogues, like Dr. Scholls.

Great to see someone else in the saffron kilt!

[Nighthawk]

All I really have to say that won't be repeating is- nice kilt! I'm wearing my own saffron right now, as a matter of fact.

[NewPiperinNY]

Pull your caubeen down about a finger's breadth above your eyebrows, and wear it all day in a steady rain at the Games, and it'll improve miraculously; custom fit!
As Barb said; pull your kilt up a bit. Move the buckles and inner apron strap if necessary.
You don't need quite so many twists in your ghillie laces. For long parades, you might prefer some really cushy walking shoes that looks like wingtip brogues, like Dr. Scholls.

Great to see someone else in the saffron kilt!

Was hoping you'd see this picture... saw yours in the gallery (marching in Puerto Rico, right?)

The funny thing about the twists.. Since I didn't know how to tie them, I read how to on Andrew Lenzs' site. He said the front twist anywhere from 2 to 6 and the back just has to be less than the front. So, wanting to start a 'ritual' for dressing I did 5 in the front and 2 in the back, signifying the #25, which is the day of my birth and my wife's as well (2 different months).

I did look for the Dr Scholls faux-wingtip and I couldn't find them. Do you lace them up the same way?

[NewPiperinNY]

Your kilt should be up just a bit higher - the top edge should ride about 2" above your true waist, and it looks like you have your kilt buckled on with the top edge at your waist. That makes the kilt too long, and it puts the belt below your waist.

If the kilt is too big and you can't keep it up where you need it, have someone move the underapron strap and the the two buckles on the apron (fringe) edge. That will allow you to buckle it tighter and keep it up where it belongs!

Best of luck with the pipes! Who do you play with?

Thanks .. I play with Glor Na nGael out of Lynbrook, NY.

Essentially you're saying to move underapron strap further to the under fringe, and the 2 buckles away from the fringe?

[goodrat]

Excellent stuff man, i had the same problem when i got my first kilt, i found that i was wearing it too low and after i hiked it up and it sat easier on my waist, my belt seemed to do it's proper job. Another factor can be how much you keep in your sporran, being a bigger guy i always wear my sporran strap through the loops, i've seen slimmer fellas wear it just around the wasitline without the loops, i've noticed that the heavier my sporran gets, the more it pulls, pretty abvious though... Theres nothing like the anticipation of recieving your uniform, i myself am waiting to get my uniform for the pipe band i am playing in. Congrats on the first gig, and many more!